Metal lath



Jan. 12, 1932. A. G. SIEBENLIST METAL LATH Filed June 10, 1929 o an.

Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNETE STATES ANTHONY G. SIEBENLIST, OF MILWAUKEE,

WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO MILGOB STEEL COMPANY, OF IVEILVAUKEE, VTISCOITSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE LIETAL LATH Application filed June 10,

This invention relates to a metal lath and more particularly to sheet metal lath having ribs thereon for aiding in the retention of stresses encountered in certain constructions as, for example, in a backing for tile, terrazzo, concrete or the like. A sheet metal lath of the non-expanded type has been proposed for use with this kind of construction. In this form, a. plurality of longitudinally extending parallel slits are made in a piece of sheet metal and ribs are struck up from the intervening portions so as to provide an irregular surface for retaining the backing material. Since all of the slits and ribs in this lath are disposed in parallel relation, certain disadvantages are inherent therein. The slits considerably weaken the metal especially transversely of the sheet so that its strength is not much greater than expanded metal lath and insufficient to act as a proper reinforcement. Moreover, it is hard to fill the spaces between the ribs with plaster or the like because of the fact that they are disposed in parallel relation and do not form pockets.

An object of the present invention is to overcome these and other difficulties by the provision of a novel construction of lathing 1 of the non-expanded metal type in which the metal is so deformed as to render it capable of taking transverse stresses.

Another object is to provide for the stifiening of sheet metal lathing and to form pockets for keying plaster, concrete, or the like.

A further object is to provide diagonally disposing stays on sheet metal lathing and to provide means for preventing collapse of the same.

A further object is to provide a combined metallic lath and form for use in concrete building construction or the like in Which a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges are provided, the ridges serving not only to 1229. Serial in. 369,718.

stiffen and reinforce the lathing but also serving to prevent loss of wet concrete in the laying of floor or roof slabs or the like.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a sheet metal lath embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on line of Figure 1; and

Figure a is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a piece of sheet metal formed into lathing accordance with one form of the invention. The sheet may be of any suitable dimensions, a convenient size being 24 inches by 96 inches. As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of spaced parallel ribs 2 are disposed longitudinally of the sheet, these ribs being of an inverted U-shape as shown in Figure 2 and extending continuously from one end of the sheet to the other.

In between the ribs 2, rows of short diagonal stays 3 are provided, these diagonal stays being curved upwardly into a plane above that of the ribs 2. At the upper right hand corner of Figure 1 a few of these stays are shaded to illustrate the s ructure thereof. Pairs of diagonal slits i are cut in the metal for permitting the stays to be struck up in this manner. As shown in Figure l, the diagonal stays 3 of adjacent rows are preferably inclined in opposite directions so as to form a so-called herring bone formation. This arrangement provides a plurality of pockets for retaining plaster, concrete or the like, no matter in what position the lath is laid.

It will also be seen in Figure 1 that the diagonal stays of one row bear a staggered relation to those of an adjacent row. Staggering is advisable in order to retain the longitudinal strength of the lath as much as possible. It is obvious that if the slits were disposed opposite one another, the ribs 2 would have to take a greater amount of stress imposed lengthwise of the lath than is necessary with the staggered arrangement, fiat metal being always disposed on one side or the other of the ribs 2. This fiat metal forms a zigzag longitudinally extending portion which aids the ribs 2 in taking longitudinal stress.

As mentioned above, individual parallel slits are cut for each stay. This is done in order to provide flatdiagonally disposed tension connectors in between each diagonal stay. It is, of course, possible and in some instances it may be feasible to dispense with these connectors and position the diagonal stays immediately adjacent one another, thus making it possible for three slits to permit the striking up of two stays. The connectors 5 present a distinct advantage, however, in that they not only provide an excellent key for plaster or cement but also provide tension strips for connecting the base or lower ends of the diagonal stays. A given stay 3 with connecting strips 5 on either side thereof forms an extremely strong projection capable of taking heavy loads. This formation is best shown in Figure 3. It will be seen that this structure is like the span of a bridge, the stay 3 and connectors 5 being capable of taking compression and tension respectively. Because of this arrangement the stays may be struck up a considerable distance and form a deep pocket for concrete or plaster because the lower edgesthereof are not subjected to tensile strength as they would be if the connectors 5 were not provided.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 is the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that at suitable intervals longitudinally extending ridges 6 are provided. This construction permits the lathing to be used not only as a reinforcement and support for concrete or plaster but also as a form for preventing the loss of wet material of this nature as it is being laid, the ridges being sufficiently rigic to prevent sagging. The ridges 6 may be spaced at any suitable intervals transversely of the sheet. In this connection it is to be noted that the connectors 5 are so disposed as to prevent the occurrence and/or the ridges 6, these operations being performed in the sequence recited as the sheet is fed along through the press. As a matter of convenience, the two sets of dies, which cut the slits and form the diagonal stays, are mounted on the same block and the sheets are fed along step by step so that as one set of dies is cutting the slits, the other is simultaneously forming stays on the portion of the sheet previously cut. The ribs 2 and ridges 6 may be conveniently formed by grooved rollers as the sheet leaves the die press.

In manufacturing the lathing of the form shown in Figure l, the same method and machine may be employed one '3 that certain of the cutting and clamping dies are removed to leave a flat portion inte .nediate any two ribs. As the sheet at tirougli the end rollers, this portion is crimped, the lath being narrowed a few inches by its operation.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the details of the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope or" the annexed claims. it" desired, all of the stays may be inclined in the same direction or disposed at right angles to the ribs 2. A construction in which the ribs 2 or the ridges 6 or both are dispensed with is also contemplated.

The invention claimed is:

1. A combined lath and form for use in building constructions comprising a rectangular piece of sheet metal having low longitudinally extending ribs thereon, high longitudinally extending ridges adjacent certain of said ribs for providing abutments for retaining wet building material, and a plurality of diagonally disposed raised stays intermediate certain of said ribs.

2. A combined lath and form for use in building constructions comprising a rectangular piece of sheet metal having low longitudinally extending ribs thereon, high longitudinally extending ridges adjacent certain of said ribs for providing abutments for retaining wet building material, a plurality of diagonally disposed raised stays intermediate certain of said ribs, and flat connectors disposed in between certain of said stays.

3. A lath comprising a piece oi sheet metal formed with rows of diagonally disposed raised stays, the stays of adjacent rows being inclined in opposite directions and staggered with respect to each other, there being a zigzag longitudinally extending metal portion between the ro-ws of stays.

4. A lath comprising a sheet of metal having a plurality of longitudinally extending and spaced ribs, a plurality of raised stays struck from the sheet and extending between and having their ends integral with the ribs to reinforce the sheet and to form plaster retaining keys and flat connectors integral with, parallel to, and extending between adjacent stays, each connector extending from the side of one end of one stay to the opposite end of the adjacent side of the adjacent stay.

5. A lath comprising a piece of sheet metal having spaced longitudinally extending ribs formed thereon and extending from end to end thereof and a row of raised stays extending diagonally between and connecting adjacent ribs, each raised stay having its end portions integral with and merging into the ribs and having its intermediate portion of trough-like form to reinforce said sheet and form plaster retaining keys.

6. A lath comprising a piece of sheet metal having spaced ribs, rows of raised stays struck therefrom and connecting adjacent ribs, the stays of the adjacent rows being staggered, there being a zigzag longitudinally extending metal portion between the rows of stays.

7. A lath comprising a piece of sheet metal formed with a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending raised ribs, said lath being formed with a plurality of angled slots between said ribs and having a plurality of raised stays formed between certain of said slots and fiat connectors formed between other of said slots and interconnecting the adjacent stays.

In witness whereof, I hereto aflix my signature.

ANTHONY Gr. SIEBENLIST. 

